You may either upload an existing YouTube video, or take a file from your computer and add it to our system. When you upload a video from your computer, it's also added to BU's official YouTube channel.

Want to add a video already on YouTube?

Copy the URL of any YouTube video. On BUniverse, go to Upload, and then click on "Add your video—Already on YouTube." Simply paste the YouTube URL, and the video's title, description, thumbnail, and tags will be automatically added.

Want to upload a video from your computer?

Go to Upload, click on "Add your video—From your computer," and then click on "file." Once you complete the upload form and submit, your video file is transferred and processed. Depending on the size of your file, this can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. There is a file size limit of 1GB per video. If your video is more than 1GB, you can try saving the file out at a higher compression level which will decrease the file size, or split the video into multiple parts. Once your video has been processed, the site will notify you that it is ready for viewing.

Choosing a file

BUniverse accepts any of the following video file formats:

• Windows Media Video (.WMV)
• .3GP (cell phones)
• .AVI (windows)
• .MOV (mac)
• .MP4 (ipod/psp)
• .MPEG
• .FLV (adobe flash)
• .MKV (h.264)

How can I get my video into a supported format?

If you have a video in an unaccepted file format that you want to host on BUniverse, we can help. Contact us and we will get back to you with a cost estimate.

Why is tagging my videos so important?

Tagging means to attach keywords, typically of one to three words each, to each video that help describe it. Because BUniverse uses tags to group videos, it's important to use BU-related keywords such as class IDs, college/school and department names, etc. There's no limit on the number of tags you can add to each video, just separate them with commas. Effective tagging not only helps the system group similar videos, it also makes it easier for people to find your videos.

For more information, visit YouTube's Help topics.

Want to post a BUniverse video on your personal blog or departmental website?

No problem. In the lower right-hand corner of the video, click "Share." Selecting the "Embed" field automatically copies the code. Now you can paste that code into the HTML of your site. In the same window as the "Embed" field, there's a "Link" field. Selecting the "Link" field automatically copies the code and you can paste it into an email message to a friend, in a Word document, or anywhere else you want.

What file formats are accepted?

BUniverse accepts any of the following video file formats:

• Windows Media Video (.WMV)
• .3GP (cell phones)
• .AVI (windows)
• .MOV (mac)
• .MP4 (ipod/psp)
• .MPEG
• .FLV (adobe flash)
• .MKV (h.264)

How can I get my video into a supported format?

If you have a video in an unaccepted file format that you want to host on BUniverse, we can help. Contact us and we will get back to you with a cost estimate.

Where are videos hosted?

YouTube hosts videos that are uploaded through BUniverse. Once uploaded they will appear here, on Boston University's official YouTube channel, and anywhere else that they've been embedded.

What if I want to delete or edit a video?

You can do that. Click "My videos," in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. A list of the videos you've uploaded will appear. Next to each one, click "delete" or "edit." You have the ability to edit the title, description, or category—everything except the thumbnail. If you choose to delete a video from BUniverse, it will also be removed from BU's official YouTube channel. But, if the video exists elsewhere on YouTube, on your personal YouTube account for instance, it will remain there until you remove it.

What kinds of videos should I post?

All kinds. Experiments, lectures, speeches, panels, concerts, sporting events, student films, original political commentary, complaints, rebuttals. We expect BUniverse to host all manner of videos reflecting the academic and campus life of the University.

What kinds of videos should I NOT post?

The kinds that could get you in trouble. No underage drinking or other illegal activity. No harassment or abuse. Read our Terms of Use. No copyright infringements, either. That means you can't use that Def Leopard song as your background music. It doesn't mean you can't use any background music; Visit creativecommons.org for lawful alternatives to commercial music.

How do I report a video or comment for abuse or terms violation?

To the right of each video, click on "Report abuse." Follow the prompts from there. At the bottom of each comment, as well, you can click on "Report abuse." Be sure to use this function only to alert us to videos or comments that actually meet the definition of "abuse." (So, not simply a video or comment whose premise or conclusion you disagree with.) See the Terms of Use.

Why was my video deleted?

It could be that the content was inappropriate or otherwise violated our Terms of Use. Videos should not be abusive or depict underage drinking or other illegal activity, or use copyright-protected material. (You can't use a Michael Jackson song as background music; See Visit creativecommons.org for other options.)

I represent a college/school or department and want to put videos on BUniverse. How can I get a login?

Rather than adding videos to BUniverse with an individual account, we recommend applying for a login that is associated with your college/school or department instead. For more information, and the application, see the Create an Account section on BU's IS&T site.

I'm an alum, can I add videos to BUniverse?

Absolutely! But, you must have an alumni account in order to login to BUniverse. It's easy to get one. Just fill out this form on alumni web.

What happens to my videos when I am no longer a student/staff/faculty member?

Your videos stay on BUniverse, but the byline will be removed if the exact BU login is ever repurposed. For graduated students, logging into BUniverse with your alumni account will automatically change your byline to your new alumni login.

Can I hire BUniverse to record my event?

Yes. If it's in your budget, and you give us enough lead time, you can have your event professionally filmed. Contact us and select the category "Hiring BUniverse to record my event."

For more information, visit YouTube's Help topics.